YEah OK...I filled out a form I will have a slew of lawyers calling me Monday morning. I There are such things as "punitive damaged" that go beyond treble damages when DUI, texting or ant other distraction to driving was apparent herein South Carolina. Given that DUI issues are treated seperatly from normal fender benders I likely should hand it all over to an attorney. I think the Ambulance ride and ER will will amount to over $2000 in expenses. Not counting any appointments she will have with doctors. I hope there are no more medical expenses. I would rather her healthy then needing any medical procedures.

The Rav will probably be fixed. Fair market value is $15,600 according to NADA. SC Law requires FMV to be paid out and if the vehicle repair doesn't meet or exceed that amount they will likely fix it

No one wants to get this call at 1AM.. Apparently she was just driving along through an intersection and a drunk kid makes a left hand turn in front of her. Didn't even know what happened. He was arrested for DUI. She is feeling like she played in an NFL game and XRays showed some aggravated damage to a disc. Getting slapped by a airbag as not fun. We left the Hospital at 4AM and went to see he beloved 06 RAV....

Looks like it can be fixed.. but being an 06 who knows. only 54k Miles......

So now the process begins with their insurance company.........Geico. Just looking to be made whole. not win the lottery. Crumple zones work well...

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Dude, sorry to hear that. I saw a few accidents in the area on Scanner Radio (follow it on my phone) and I bet one was hers. Where did the accident occur?

As you probably know, Horry County was at one point (still?) the highest county in the nation for drunk driving fatalities so she's damn lucky and I'm glad for you and her that it wasn't worse. It could've been MUCH worse.

Best of luck in the recovery process.

BTW, I agree with everyone else, GET A LAWYER. Harry Pavilack would love that case, lol

Dude, sorry to hear that. I saw a few accidents in the area on Scanner Radio (follow it on my phone) and I bet one was hers. Where did the accident occur?

As you probably know, Horry County was at one point (still?) the highest county in the nation for drunk driving fatalities so she's damn lucky and I'm glad for you and her that it wasn't worse. It could've been MUCH worse.

Best of luck in the recovery process.

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Thanks man..OH I know....Could have been a knock at the door....We were spared........It was on the corner of Robert Grissom Parkway and 21st Ave near Broadway at the Beach.

I was going to go it alone but I have since found out South Carolina has "punitive damages" for DUI offenders. to teach them and their insurers a lesson. I don't know anything about how to go about seeking those becasue THOSE are definitely something I support. Even if those damages were awarded to the state to help victims who lost family members for educating their kids and not in cases like this. I would get a lawyer to see these damages paid especially since the offender did not even care to see if my wife was ok and apparently not cooperating with police.

looking at that pic again makes me think these vehicles today are made of aluminum foil or crumpled paper.

BTW LOVE Scanner Radio on Android. I listen to Chicago Police more action

Some of these lawyers won't take a light injury case. I refuse to use a alwyer like Axlerod who advertises everywhere for hit and run $5000 settlements. Nor will I select a lawyer who defends DUI suspects....

Be cautious about insurance companies, even your own. They are there to make money, not spend it on you.
Make sure you get compensation for a new vehicle (most likely) and get something in writing about medical checkups and coverage for follow-up visits.

Seriously, it may not be a bad idea to hire a lawyer. They're cheap since they work on commission paid for by the other party (or his parents). Normally I wouldn't advise this but since it involved possible damage to her spine you need to protect yourself.

I don;t understand why an insurance company would rather pay out $15,000 rather than $8,000 to fix a car. In South Carolina they only have to pay FMV is the repairs meet or exceed the FMV value (then there is that Vehiclefax thing that further devalues the car another 10%....when a wreck shows up . That has to be considered as well in a loss scenario. Especailly since we can prove we have been car shopping in the past few weeks....via Email quotes.

Seen that vid, VERY telling.....

I am guessing its a total considering what I have been reading......

RAV has a crumple zone build-in in the front and rear. I have a 2004 RAV4 base Auto got totaled in a 25 to 30 mile per hour front collision. The design is aimed to allow the front end to take the most damage while preventing the impact to intrude to the cabin. The airbag did not even deploy in this case. The driver is O.K.. However the two main frame posts (where the bumper attached to) in front were bent. The dealer shop estimated at $14000 for repair (while book value is at $17000 excluding TTL). That is the major reason my insurance offered me a total compensation.

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Based on that I guess we will be stuck looking for another SUV for her sooner than I wanted and in more of a rush.

Glad she's ok! If a drunk driver ever hit me I'm not sure i could control myself. I'd spend the night in jail for sure Maybe more then one night...

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Yeah Im pissed he did not have the courtesy to help her..a complete stranger had to get the door open but would not allow her out since she was in shock and pain. Those airbags pack a wallop and the seatbelt injury can create hematomas. The more I think about it the more pissed I get....

Here they have a DRAM law where they can go after the bars who serve these drunks. Thankfully she is not injured enough to go to that length but I am glad to hear IF she were injured and remained hospitalized they could go after anyone who provided the drinks. She has been in bed all day on painkillers and xanax. This is a woman who NEVER stops moving. she can't sit for a minute. Always doing something. Its painful to see her like this even though I am greatful she was not seriously hurt.

The adjuster will be calling me....I think I will refrain from all talk that is not Property damage related and tell her I am seeking legal help with this. Usually insurance companys have 2 adjusters, one for property and the other for injury and they are settled separately.

Thanks for your advice guys....I am not one to sue at the drop of a hat and i won't this time. I will let the expert do what they do becasue its a DUI case.. They may settle this. I don't see how they have a leg to stand on with their guy in jail.

Yeah Im pissed he did not have the courtesy to help her..a complete stranger had to get the door open but would not allow her out since she was in shock and pain. Those airbags pack a wallop and the seatbelt injury can create hematomas. The more I think about it the more pissed I get....

Here they have a DRAM law where they can go after the bars who serve these drunks. Thankfully she is not injured enough to go to that length but I am glad to hear IF she were injured and remained hospitalized they could go after anyone who provided the drinks. She has been in bed all day on painkillers and xanax. This is a woman who NEVER stops moving. she can't sit for a minute. Always doing something. Its painful to see her like this even though I am greatful she was not seriously hurt.

The adjuster will be calling me....I think I will refrain from all talk that is not Property damage related and tell her I am seeking legal help with this. Usually insurance companys have 2 adjusters, one for property and the other for injury and they are settled separately.

Thanks for your advice guys....I am not one to sue at the drop of a hat and i won't this time. I will let the expert do what they do becasue its a DUI case.. They may settle this. I don't see how they have a leg to stand on with their guy in jail.

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My wife and I have been part time bar tenders for five years now. We have no control over someone who decides to drive after drinking or not. Just two weeks ago we had a young man get shitty and told us he was leaving. He even asked us to call him a cab. We did. Thirty minutes later we learned he drove home hitting three parked cars and a nice night in the drunk tank.